INTERVIEW/ARTICLE/REVIEW:
This is a cool interview with Art that talks about So Much For The Afterglow, Sparkle and Fade, his record label, and heartspark Dollarsign. I think it's old but it's still interesting. And it's not very long so check it out.
Tickets to Everclear's 7 p.m. concert Wednesday sold out so fast that the show was moved from the 380-capacity Ranch Bowl to the 1,100-capacity Sokol Auditorium, 13th and Martha Streets. The bigger venue meant a bigger sellout, as the extra tickets also went fast. Thus, Everclear's Omaha debut - with opening acts Jimmie's Chicken Shack and Feeder - has the makings of a stellar experience.
Fronted by Art Alexakis, the Portland, Ore., power-pop-rock trio will bring an arsenal of choice songs, most of which come from the band's last two albums - 1995's breakthrough "Sparkle and Fade," with the smash "Santa Monica"; and last year's "So Much for the Afterglow," which has spawned current rock hits "Everything to Everyone" and "I Will Buy You a New Life." Last week Pop Muse Central caught up with Everclear's mastermind, Alexakis, 36, on the road near Charleston, S.C
Q= Pop Muse Interviewer
A= Art Alexakis
Q: What musician-singer would you bring back from the dead if you had that power?
A: Hank Williams Sr.
Q: That was fast.
A: You probably didn't expect that, did you?
Q: Well, no, but I'm not surprised. Your music has a strong country influence.
A: Country has always been in my music. It just comes out a little stronger at times.
Q: When is the launch of your long-anticipated record label? Was this a project that you began when you were an A&R guy at Capitol Records?
A: Yeah, but I didn't get a chance to sign the bands that I wanted to sign, so now I'm starting my own label.
Q: What's it called?
A: Popularity. It's going to be distributed through another major label - not Capitol - so I can't talk about it until it's inked.
Q: What are you looking for in a band?
A: My only prerequisite is just great songs, distinctive voices, interesting arrangements and the ability to diversify and change. I want to have artists that are going to have careers. I'm not interested in one-hit wonders, no matter how much money it will make in the short run.
Q: What's currently your favorite song to play live?
A: I'm really into playing "Everything to Everyone." And "Santa Monica" is always fun. But I'll tell you what the funnest song is by far: "El Distorto de Melodica," the instrumental (from "So Much for the Afterglow") that we play live. It just rocks.
Q: Will you be doing an acoustic set?
A: Oh, yeah. We'll do a three- or four-song acoustic set.
Q: What about "Heartspark Dollarsign" (from "Sparkle and Fade")?
A: We usually play that acoustic. If we don't do it acoustic, we do it electric in the encore.
Q: What's that mean, anyway - "Heartspark Dollarsign"?
A: I like to mess around with phonetics sometimes. It did communicate to me what I was feeling; just the value of the heart, the value... that's where in a relationship it doesn't matter how much money you make, it matters how much you're willing to commit emotionally. It's one of the more autobiographic songs I've done.
Q: Do you name your guitars?
A: I don't name my guitars, but I do have some favorites. On stage I play a 12-string Taylor. I love it, but it's not my baby. I have a used '70s Guild sunburst that is just amazing.
Q: Any new music videos in the works?
A: We're doing one for "Father of Mine," the next single (from "So Much for the Afterglow"). I'm trying to come up with the treatment for it. I think I'll direct it, or co-direct it, like I have the last two.
Q: Anything else in the cooker?
A: I've been asked to be in a couple of movies by a couple of directors. I can't say who because I don't want to jinx it.
Q: Do you have any acting experience?
A: I've acted, and I went to film school. I've directed stage plays. I don't want to be a full-time actor, but I wouldn't mind doing it for these guys.
